Uganda church warns of Anglican split over gay law

The Anglican Church of Uganda said Monday it may consider breaking away from
their mother church in England if it puts Uganda under pressure over a tough
new anti-homosexuality law.

Supporters celebrate after Uganda's President Museveni signed a law imposing harsh penalties for homosexuality in KampalaPhoto: REUTERS

AFP

12:19PM GMT 03 Mar 2014

"The issue here is respect for our views on homosexuality, same sex marriage as a country and church. If they are not willing to listen to us. We shall consider being on our own," Uganda's top Anglican, Archbishop Stanley Ntagali, told AFP.

"Homosexual practice is incompatible with scripture, and no one in the leadership of the church can say legitimise same sex unions or homosexuality," he said, urging the "governing bodies of the Church of England to not take the path advocated by the West".

"If they do we shall have no choice but to be on our own," he said.

Ugandan President Yoweri Museveni last week signed a bill into law which holds that "repeat homosexuals" should be jailed for life, outlaws the promotion of homosexuality and requires people to report on homosexuals.

The passing of the bill was largely a popular move in conservative Uganda, where Museveni - a devout Christian who has been in power for 28 years - faces re-election in 2016.